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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc have received over N3.3 billion in dividends over the last 15 years. Aside from this impressive dividend payout, the shareholders have also significantly benefited from the capital appreciation of the cement stock. This comes as company assured shareholders that it is actively considering the introduction of interim dividend payments following persistent calls for higher shareholder returns.
The Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, speaking at the Company’s Facts Behind the Figures presentation at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Wednesday, said the move to introduce interim dividends is part of its commitment to further reward investors, following strong financial results in the first half of 2025.
Ikazoboh, however, said the board is focused on consolidating ongoing expansion projects before rolling out interim dividends, noting that discussions are already underway. “On interim dividends, I assure you it’s something we’re considering. The board wants to stabilize our growth first, as we’ve embarked on significant expansion. By December, we’ll reach 3 million tons in Côte d’Ivoire, and we’re expanding in Ghana. We aim to consolidate these expansions, and I hope, under my leadership, we’ll start paying interim dividends from next year,” Ikazoboh stated.
He further assured investors that the company’s next growth phase will be anchored on innovation and sustainability.
“We will intensify our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, advancing alternative fuel adoption, and deploying technology that will make our production more efficient and environmentally friendly. We are also going to invest in our people,” he said.
The assurance for interim dividends came on the back of strong half-year results that underscored the company’s financial strength. The Chief Financial Officer, Gbenga Fapohunda, disclosed that profit after tax rose by 174 per cent in the first half of 2025 to N520 billion, up from N190 billion in the same period last year. Revenue grew by 17.7 per cent, largely driven by Nigerian operations, while EBITDA increased by 41 per cent. He also noted that the company had paid N3.3 trillion in dividends over the last 15 years.
Commending the company’s contributions, Chairman of NGX Group, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, described Dangote Cement as a key driver of industrial growth and market stability. “Over the years, Dangote Cement Plc has remained a strong driver of industrial growth, shaping infrastructural development and fostering economic prosperity, not only in Nigeria but across the continent. With a production capacity of over 50 million tons per annum across 10 African countries, the company has built an impressive footprint that reflects both ambition and leadership in sub-Saharan Africa,” Kwairanga said.
Chief Executive Officer of NGX Limited, Jude Chiemeka, highlighted the company’s value to the Nigerian capital market. “Since they were listed in 2010, they’ve paid over N3.2 trillion as dividend to shareholders and over N520 billion as taxes to the federal government. So it’s right to say that they are the golden goose of our capital market,” Chiemeka noted, adding that Dangote Cement accounts for more than 9 per cent of the equities market capitalization.
